Ukrainian Army Faces Deserts Crisis Amid Ongoing Conflict and Frontline Struggles

Ukrainian military leadership acknowledges a serious problem with soldier desertion. Anatoliy Barhilievich, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, spoke about this issue. It is rare for high-ranking officials to address this topic directly.

Thousands of Soldiers Have Deserted the Army

Barhilievich admitted, “Yes, there is a problem, and we are fighting it. We are looking for more effective solutions. First of all, there are psychological issues at play. People from various backgrounds are now serving in the army. Some are not the same as they once were; others are less prepared psychologically for military life.”

In response, the Army has increased the basic military training from one month to a month and a half. This change aims to help more individuals adapt and prepare for their duties.

Recently, the Ukrainian Parliament supported a new law. This law states that soldiers who leave the army voluntarily for the first time will not be punished if they return on their own and their commander allows them to continue service.

Desertion has become a significant issue for the Ukrainian army. From January to October of this year, approximately 60,000 cases of desertion have been registered. This number is significantly higher than in the first year of full-scale war.

BBC sources within the military General Staff suggest that the real number of deserters may reach between 100,000 and 150,000. However, this information has not been officially confirmed.

Frontline Situation Remains Challenging

Ukrainian officials recognize the challenges faced by the army. President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that efforts are being made not only to supply the army with weapons and equipment but also to “change the approach” in specific leadership matters. An army ombudsman will also be established in Ukraine.

The frontline situation remains unfavorable for Ukraine. Barhilievich stated in an interview on Sunday, “We will hold on as long as we can,” in response to a question about whether Ukraine can maintain control of Kurakhove, a city in the Donetsk region under close threat from invading forces.

Since autumn, the Russian army has been advancing in Ukraine despite suffering heavy losses. New territories in Donbas are being captured every few weeks.

So far this year, the occupying forces have taken approximately 2,700 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory, which exceeds the total area captured in 2023.

Although this area may seem small relative to Ukraine’s size of over 600,000 square kilometers, the ongoing situation raises significant concerns.

The Russian army is moving forward not only in Donetsk but is also testing Ukrainian defenses in Zaporizhia, Kharkiv, and Kherson, where Ukrainian forces remain resilient.

North Koreans Have Joined the Fight

The situation in Russia’s Kursk region is severe. After Ukraine’s incursion in August, it has lost about 40% of the territory it had captured. North Korean soldiers have now joined the fight, with reports of initial clashes already occurring.

Barhilievich stated, “There have already been confrontations with our soldiers. We will provide information on incidents involving North Korean troops fighting against the Ukrainian military.”

These North Korean troops appear to be standard military units, disguised as local residents from the Far East. They possess appropriate documents and have been trained at the Mulinsky training center, with involvement from specialists at the Ryazan Airborne School.

Barhilievich did not confirm whether Ukraine has begun using U.S. ATACMS ballistic missiles against targets within Russia, stating that such weapons speak for themselves. He also did not elaborate on any potential acquisition of French fighter planes, simply noting that such aircraft would significantly strengthen the Ukrainian army.

Context

The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. The Kremlin initially claimed it would capture Kyiv in three days, but Ukrainian resistance thwarted their plans.

Following setbacks, Russia withdrew its forces from the Kyiv area but continued offensives in other regions. In autumn 2022, the Ukrainian army successfully liberated parts of Kharkiv and Kherson, raising hopes for defeating the enemy.

However, Ukraine’s counteroffensive, started in summer 2023, has not achieved its goals. This has been attributed to inadequate weapons supplies from Western allies and the fortified defense lines and extensive minefields created by the Russian army.

In August 2024, reports emerged of a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, marking the first instance of foreign troops holding territory on Russian soil since World War II.

Despite this, the Russian army continues its advance in Donetsk, capturing more Ukrainian villages and towns.

In October 2024, President Zelensky introduced a broader victory plan to the public, but Western allies have responded with caution.